Minnesota
I live in South Carolina and have for many years, but every summer I return to Minnesota to spend time with family and friends, and to let the peace and tranquility settle back around me.
Minnesota is a rural state with lakes, streams, large forests and farmland. Oh sure, there are cities there. Minneapolis is a major metropolis with its share of fine arts and museums, five-star hotels and restaurants, and culture. But Minnesota is the North Star State, the land of 10,000 lakes. You can hear the loons cry in the early morning light, disappear into the boundary waters and not see another soul for days, listen to the birds sing, spend the day fishing, waterskiing, or if you dare, jump in the lake and go for a swim.
Minnesota owns a piece of my heart now and forever.
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Each year we select one or two trips to incorporate into the big trip. This year we will be heading up to the north shore of Lake Superior. Our destination is Gooseberry Falls State Park. I've never been there but from what I've read and heard, it's awesome. There are five different waterfalls to see and a 18 miles of hiking trails. There are non-electric camp sites available year-round and a visitor's center with a multitude of planned activities.I'm looking forward to spending time on the hiking trails. There are birds in Minnesota that I rarely get to see here in South Carolina.
Our second scheduled stop is the Split Rock Lighthouse. It is located in Two Harbors, Minnesota and was in operation from 1910 to 1969. It is still lit each year on November 10th in memory of the men lost when the Edmund Fitzgerald went down in 1975.The Split Rock Lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in the United States. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.
John Muir
Minnesota Bird Watching Trails
- Pine to Prairie Birding Trail
- The Pine to Prairie Birding Trail covers over 200 miles, from the northern woodlands to the prairies in the northwester part of the state.
- The Great River Birding Trail
- The Great River Birding Trail highlights some of the best bird watching sites along the Mississippi River.
- Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail
- The Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail follows the Minnesota River from its headwaters near the South Dakota border to there it meets up with the Mississippi River. Prairie species such as the Sharp-tailed Grouse and the Great-crested Flycatcher dominate the area.
- Mississippi National River and Recreational Area
- The Mississippi River provides a major corridor for migratory birds. The river provides the birds with a place to stop and rest, seek shelter, and gather food.
The Common Loon
You'll Hear it Before You See It
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The Common Loon
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The Common Loon or the Great Northern Diver is often called the "Symbol of the North." They are reported to be among the oldest groups of birds still living today, with a history stretching back close to 50 million years. The Loon is silent...
Camping
A weekend or two of camping is as much a part of my vacation as trekking down the birding trails. There's no TV blaring in the background, ringing telephones, or a computer to lure me into cyberspace. One of my favorite camp sites is Itasca State Park. It is in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest and beautiful beyond compare. The Mighty Mississippi
Lake Itasca is the birthplace of the mighty Mississippi River. Traversing the river on mere stepping stones is fun (more often than not I slip and end up with wet feet).There are hiking trails, birding trails, or you can swing by the beach and go for a swim. After living in South Carolina for twenty-five years, I have come to the conclusion that you've got to be plum crazy to hop in that ice-cold water. Now my sons---they always thought it was invigorating.
Ghost stories and s'mores around the campfire can add a dose of magic to the experience.
Itasca State Park
- Minnesota State Parks
- State parks, facilities, and directions.
Take Time to Relax
I intend to spend part of my vacation relaxing on my sister's deck. She has a panoramic view of the lake and the woodlands beyond it. From the lounge chair on the deck I can watch the Canada Geese, Mallards, and White Pelicans dabble in the water for their morning meal. I'll spend hours on the deck watching the birds, reading, and soaking up the sun.
Time to read is a critical part of my vacation plans. Communing with nature and burying my nose in a book are my two favorite relaxation techniques.And relaxing is the purpose behind a vacation, right?
The View From My Sister's Deck
My Summer Reading List
Wicked Prey
Amazon Price: $18.45 (as of 12/27/2009) 
Dreamfever
Amazon Price: $17.16 (as of 12/27/2009)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Amazon Price: $15.64 (as of 12/27/2009)
Under the Radar (Sisterhood Series, No. 13)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/27/2009)
Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Novels)
Amazon Price: $17.47 (as of 12/27/2009)
Phelps Mill
During one day at my sister's we will venture over to Phelps Mill. As a child we would load up the fishing equipment, pile in the car, and head for Phelps Mill. I spent many happy hours fishing along the dam. Once the day was over we would find a place to camp.It didn't matter what our destination, if we were going fishing, to a picnic, or for a swim. We were going "to the lakes."
Phelps Mill and the area around it was purchased by Ottertail County in 1965, but was not listed on the National Register of Historic Places until 1975. The mill and the area around it are better preserved than they were when I was a child, but little else has changed. We still bait the hook and throw the line.
Some things never change.
The Farm
My vacation would not be complete without spending some time at the farm. I grew up on a little farm three miles from a town that barely qualifies as a dot on the map. It's in the middle of the Red River Valley and the land around it is as flat as a pancake.During the ice age and for awhile beyond, the area that now comprises the Red River Valley was underwater. Lake Agassiz was a big lake, but as the ice receded, it eventually drained into the Red River of the North leaving the fertile silt behind. Unlike most rivers, the Red River of the North flows northward and empties into the Hudson Bay. There are towns and a few small cities in the valley, but the Red River Valley is a farmer's paradise. The growing season is short, but the valley adds a significant amount of corn, wheat, beans, and other crops to the countries food reserves.
The animals are gone and the land rented out, but the farm is still home. The phone number I dial when I call home is the same number I memorized as a child. My mother and I spend our days crocheting and sitting on the porch watching the Goldfinches fight over the perches on the birdfeeder.
Wherever you choose to spend your vacation this year, be sure to strike a balance between fun and relaxation. If you're not sure where to do that, consider Minnesota. There's something for everyone, and a whole heck of a lot of fun.
To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon the verdant green hills is the most perfect refreshment.
- Jane Austin
Backroads of Minnesota
Backroads of Minnesota: Your Guide to Minnesota's Most Scenic Backroad Adventures
The shortest route is not always the best route. Explore the backroads. Yo'll not regret it.
Sunset Over the Boundary Waters
Have you ever been to Minnesota?
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Reply
- dignan62 dignan62 Dec 2, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
- My problem is I haven't ventured very far out of ND an MN. My kids think that a very large pile of gravel is a mountain. We will have to correct that one sometime. It is a beautiful state and the lakes are not THAT cold, though I've never been anywhere real warm either!
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Reply
- poutine poutine Sep 20, 2009 @ 11:13 am
- This lens makes me want to travel all the way there, from Ontario, Canada.
Poutine
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Reply
- rosiesworkshop rosiesworkshop Jul 25, 2009 @ 11:15 am
- Hi!
Great job on your lense. I have lived in Minnesota for my entire life. My great grandparents immigrated here in the 1850's and it is our home. It's very nice to know that others enjoy coming here.
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Reply
- sittonbull sittonbull Jul 1, 2009 @ 9:25 am
- I've never been to Minnesota, but this lens makes me want to. Great layout and content Lizzy and the love shows through... just as it does on all your wonderful bird lenses! We're glad to have you in SC.
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- kiwisoutback kiwisoutback Jun 30, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
- Beautiful work. I've been to Minnesota, but only through the bottom portion along the interestate. I know the best stuff is further north, along the lakes and near the Canadian border. I'll be back someday to visit. Lensrolled to my Northern route road trip lens. Squid Angel blessed!
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About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 4,018 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 201 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "2009 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments". See all my lenses
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by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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